SYF Instrumental Ensemble Presentation II

Having watched the SYF Instrumental Ensemble Presentation before, I know I wouldn't want to miss this year's Ethnic Instrumental Ensemble Presentation.

1) Hougang Sec - Gamelan
Maya Sewu
Ambangan

It is a lot milder/mellow than the gamelan ensemble I heard 2 years back. Not too extraordinary, and definitely they did not achieve the mesmerising effect that the previous presentation had.

2) Raffles' Girls School - Indian Orchestra
Bo Shambo
Raagamaalika

Both songs, especially the first one, had a fast tempo and the sound of the strings always have the exotic feel to them.

3) CHIJ St Theresea's Convent - Anklung & Kulintang
Gamelanesque
Mamma Mia

The conductor & the ensemble left an impression on me as they were visibly performing with the melody in mind... meaning I can see them waving, moving, dancing to the rhythm.

4) Tanglin Sec - Guzheng
映山红
陆游与唐婉

This was quite an action-packed presentation as the female guzheng players were constantly making broad sweeps across the strings and you almost felt that there would be darts and blades flying out of the instrument, killing the audience in the recital studio.

5) Damai Sec - Guzheng
天山玫瑰
青藏高原

The 1st piece had the exotic melody of the minority tribes in western China, and was quite enjoyable. The 2nd piece felt more like 30+ guzhengs playing the same song in different octaves. It was also a rare occasion for me to see the modified guzhengs which enabled the ensemble to play both notes of higher and lower octaves.

6) Siglap Sec - Anklung & Kulintang
Keroncong Untuk Ana
Danny Boy

The conductor was not unfamiliar to me, and the music was pleasant as well. I was also able to see the bass kulintang, complete with the 3 lower notes which were built on a separate mobile rack as it was seldom used. After listening to this ensemble's presentation, I would be keen to see the conductor's gamelan ensemble as well.